Three decades back, news had it that a hole appeared in the Ozone layer over Antarctica. The world shivered with fear. All the Countries responded quickly and the result is the Montreal protocol,1987, to ban ozone-depleting chemicals such as CFCs.
Scientists say that the efforts that are being put since 1995 in restoring the Ozone layer by implementing the Montreal Protocol are yielding positive results and the hole in the Ozone later is found shrinking since 2000. Scientists are hoping that if the hole keeps shrinking at this same rate, then the hole would be completely healed by 2050.
Why September 16 as World Ozone Preservation Day?
The hole in the Ozone layer was first discovered in 1985. In 1987, the Montreal Protocol was cratfed by international leaders to phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting chemicals. It was signed on September 16, 1987 and from then on the date is being observed each year as the International day for the Preservation of the Ozone layer.
Are there any negative effects of Ozone restoration?
According to some scientists, the restoration of Ozone over Antarctica might have negative effects on global warming as Ozone itself is a green house gas. So, researchers have advocated for increased efforts to link ozone protection efforts to climate protection efforts.
Need inspiration to vow to protect the Ozone layer without causing climate change?
According to a CNN report, the scientists estimated that the ozone-depleting gases peaked in 1990s but have been declining ever since. Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion 2014 says that “Without the Montreal Protocol and associated agreements, atmospheric levels of ozone depleting substances could have increased tenfold by 2050.” Climate projections also indicate that the ozone layer will return to 1980 levels between 2050 and 2070. Due to the widespread adoption and implementation, the Montreal Protocol has been hailed as an example of exceptional international co-operation, with even Kofi Annan quoted as saying that “perhaps the single most successful international agreement to date has been the Montreal Protocol”. So, with this little victory, let us only buy aerosol products, air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment that do not use HCFCs and let us conduct regular inspction and maintenance of such equipments.
Image (c): NASA
